Olympic curler Jessica Schultz will go for the gold at the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. “I’m beyond excited. We’ve been working and training really hard, and it’s so rewarding to see our [work pay off],” she said. Schultz, who started curling with her family in Alaska, lives and trains in Minnesota, where she also is a full-time physical therapist assistant. And she’s even a part-time designer: Her curling-themed T-shirts sell at Athleteoriginals.com. The 29-year-old will represent Team USA for the second time at the Olympics, after her first games in 2006 in Turin. “I’m excited to network and know more of the athletes this time. I was really shy and young and nervous [last time]. I got starstruck,” she said. “I want to put myself out there.” While her main goal is to win a medal (and beat the team’s biggest rival, Canada), Schultz also enjoys watching curling grow in the U.S. “When I started, nobody knew it, but with the Olympics, people are interested. To know we have been a part of that is pretty cool,” she said. Here, Schultz talks about her drink of choice, hitting the gym and her all-time favorite pair of shoes.

Must-see in Sochi: “I definitely want to get a hockey game in, and maybe speed skating.”

Favorite workout: Pull-ups. “I can finally do them! I usually find it’s the [exercises] I hate that I end up loving. If it’s easy, it wasn’t worth your time. Breakfast of champions: “Lately it’s been four egg whites, spinach and tomato, with some avocado.”

Drink of choice: Sangiovese.

Hottest off-the-ice footwear: “These red peep-toe high heels from Liz Claiborne that I love. If I ever get married, that’s what I’ll wear. Love me some red shoes.”